ASK FOR PERMISSION! – Wednesday July 29th 2015

One commandment that God gave to the
children of Israel
in the wilderness, which is still very relevant to us today, is the commandment
not to steal (Exodus 20:15). Stealing can occur physically, in the realm of the
soul and spiritually. Physical stealing can further be classified as stealing
from man and stealing from God (Malachi 3:8). To steal is to take another
person’s property without their consent or approval, particularly with the
intention of not returning it. As a growing child, teenager or youth, if you
take your parent’s money without their consent, you are a thief. Some youths
will say “Whatever belongs to my father belongs to me. I shall be free to take
any of his things whenever I like.” No sir! Your parents have plans for all
that they have. Taking their things without their approval can destabilise some
of those plans. It can also inflict pain, sorrow and untold hardship on your
parents. A child who is well brought up will ask his or her parents for what
they want and give them the opportunity to approve or deny the request. The
right rule to live by is: anything your parents are not ready to give you must
not be taken. If you take it, you are a thief and not better than any robber
out there.

Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, slept with
Bilhah his father’s concubine on his father’s bed (Genesis 35:22). According to
their tradition, after his father’s death, he could have inherited her as the
firstborn, but he could not wait for his time. Jacob kept quite about this when
he heard it. Reuben did not realise that Jacob knew and he did not restitute.
Eventually, when it was time to receive the generational blessing, Reuben was
cursed and his destiny was thwarted (Genesis 49:3-4). A curse awaits children
who steal from their parents. Zechariah 5:3 says:

“Then
said he unto me, this is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole
earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according
to it, and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according
to it.”

Even the prodigal son knew well enough
to ask for his share of his father’s property before spending it (Luke 15:12).
Today some children either neglect their parents or fast-track their death so
that they can have faster access to their wealth. Doing such is murder and
robbery! No doubt, the blessing will surely turn into a curse. Children, as
long as you live with your parents, totally submit to them like Jesus did.
Never take anything that belongs to them without their willing consent. Also,
do not threaten them to accede your request.

Action
Point

Return
all that you have taken without the consent of the rightful owners from today.

About Open Heavens

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.Learn More →